Those who cannot remember the past are condemmed to repeat it.The present National led government should be aware of this saying.
The National led government of Jim Bolger brought in the 1993 Housing Reform package.Market rents for state house tenants and the accommodation supplement,a subsidy to private landlords,now costing the New Zealand taxpayer $1.2 billion every year and increasing.
The reform,s also introduced a programme called "Tenants right to buy".The government sold 13,000 plus states homes,but only 8% of tenants were in a position to purchase their home,92%were sold to private landlords and on average at $16,000 less than sitting tenants.
These reform,s ended the "first home ownership " policies that had served New Zealand well over the years.New Zealand had one of the highest home ownership rates in the western world at the time.State Advances,Housing Corp. Loans along with ability to captalise on benefits were wiped by the stroke of the minister,s pen [John Luxton].
Fast forward to 2015 to the Key National led government,the only difference being that it is now mission impossible for a poor family to obtain a state home.The government has raised the bar,for many poor families seeking affordable housing this explains the record small numbers on the waiting lists around the country.
The National Party,s dislike of state housing is embedded in its DNA,their housing policies have created the housing poverty we see today,its market failure by anyones standard.If the missing million voters had voted it may have been a different outcome for the future of their children and grand children.
Manawatu Tenants Union
Wouldn't it be good if the PNCC took the lead in supporting a Warrant of Fitness for all their rental properties.It would be a first for New Zealand,and could show the way forward for other local authorities.
Property Investors may also be encouraged to ensure that their rental properties were fit for purpose.It would be a win,win for the city,and its growing number of renters.It could be a city with decent accommodation for all its residents.
This would be a plus in attracting more students to the city,and ensure their parents would be happy in the knowledge their children are in safe accommodation.
Make Palmerston North first choice in leading the field in providing good rental housing.
You can speak to the City Council on this serious issue on MONDAY 9th. FEBUARY @9.00am. The council building in the square is where the meeting will take place,even if you dont wish to speak come along and listen to what the city councillors think on this issue,could be interesting your presence could make the difference.If you would like to have your say ring Penny O Dell on 3568199 ext.8333 ,its at the begining of the meeting under public comment.
Property Investors may also be encouraged to ensure that their rental properties were fit for purpose.It would be a win,win for the city,and its growing number of renters.It could be a city with decent accommodation for all its residents.
This would be a plus in attracting more students to the city,and ensure their parents would be happy in the knowledge their children are in safe accommodation.
Make Palmerston North first choice in leading the field in providing good rental housing.
You can speak to the City Council on this serious issue on MONDAY 9th. FEBUARY @9.00am. The council building in the square is where the meeting will take place,even if you dont wish to speak come along and listen to what the city councillors think on this issue,could be interesting your presence could make the difference.If you would like to have your say ring Penny O Dell on 3568199 ext.8333 ,its at the begining of the meeting under public comment.
Really good news,further to our letter to the editor[Manawatu Standard]concerning the idea of a property investor register.U.S.investors who bought large housing estates in London that once were affordable public housing,are on the verge of selling one of them to an affordable housing provider.
It represents a dramatic climb down by Westbrook Partners [An asset management firm based in New York].The sale is likely to send shock waves through the booming international investment market.There is always the possibility that with the government intending to dispose of a large number of its affordable housing stock, they could go the way of these investment companies from overseas.
Westbrook Partners faced a storm of opposition from the British Labour party and from Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson,who all demanded a rethink on their plans. A number of tenants from the 93 home estate mounted a campaign to save their affordable homes,they enlisted the support of comedian and inequality campaigner Russell Brand.The tenants organised a petition,and 300,000 signed it,
they marched to the Prime Ministers Office[10 Downing Street ] and presented to the PM.
So there you go ,just show's you what a bit of collective action can achieve,it was a moral victory for the tenants.The need for a register of landlords/property investors is needed for this
Hi There.
With the government not showing any interest in the idea of a property investor register,it is worth noting that private equity firms,particularly in the US and the UK have bought large housing estates that once were affordable public housing.Many of these investors have been accused of using their properties like ATM machines,tenants in and tenants out anyway they can. Many of the properties were in poor condition and have not been upgraded.The only change tenants have noticed,has been the large rent increases,many of these long-term tenants have moved on or made homeless with the loss of affordable housing.
At present there is nothing to stop the same problems from happening here in NZ,with the present government intending to dispose of thousands of state homes around the country.
.The outcome will see rent increases and a growth in homelessness for those unable to pay their rent.What concerns the MTU is that the government will do it,not because they have to do it,but because they want to do it.They are ideologically driven and committed to shrinking the state housing stock.
A landlord/investor register is a good idea,and long over due,the failure of successive National government's to provide affordable housing for all those requiring it,is a sign of market failure on their part.
With the government not showing any interest in the idea of a property investor register,it is worth noting that private equity firms,particularly in the US and the UK have bought large housing estates that once were affordable public housing.Many of these investors have been accused of using their properties like ATM machines,tenants in and tenants out anyway they can. Many of the properties were in poor condition and have not been upgraded.The only change tenants have noticed,has been the large rent increases,many of these long-term tenants have moved on or made homeless with the loss of affordable housing.
At present there is nothing to stop the same problems from happening here in NZ,with the present government intending to dispose of thousands of state homes around the country.
.The outcome will see rent increases and a growth in homelessness for those unable to pay their rent.What concerns the MTU is that the government will do it,not because they have to do it,but because they want to do it.They are ideologically driven and committed to shrinking the state housing stock.
A landlord/investor register is a good idea,and long over due,the failure of successive National government's to provide affordable housing for all those requiring it,is a sign of market failure on their part.
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